Capitol Comments
Keeping Iowa’s Water Clean
This summer, thousands of you will be swimming, fishing, and boating in and on our Iowa lakes and rivers. These recreational opportunities would be even better with clean water.
Over the last two years, the Iowa Legislature has provided millions of dollars to help improve Iowa’s water quality through the state’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy. The strategy was prepared by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS), the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. More information on the plan can be found athttp://www.nutrientstrategy.iastate.edu/.
As of last week, in fewer than five business days, all of the $1.4 million in cost-share funds, made available statewide by IDALS to help farmers install new nutrient reduction practices, were obligated. Practices that were eligible for this funding were cover crops, no-till or strip till, and using a nitrification inhibitor when applying fall fertilizer.
These Iowa farmers also committed to matching the state’s investment for a total of $2.8 million in new water quality practices. Last year, the available funding was committed in12 days – indicating that Iowans urgently want to have clean water.
IDALS received applications covering 59,883 acres from 597 different farmers seeking to participate in the program. That includes 54,679 acres of cover crops, 2,531 acres of nitrification inhibitor, 1,656 acres of no-till and 1,015 acres of strip-till. Farmers in 90 of Iowa’s 100 Soil and Water Conservation Districts received funding.
The Legislature appropriated funding for these grants – and more. Unfortunately, Governor Branstad vetoed this year’s additional $10 million – dollars that we in the Legislature provided for grants to Iowans to further improve Iowa’s water quality. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Bill Northey, said that he was very disappointed by the Governor’s veto decision, calling it “a lost opportunity” to do even more to build on the exciting momentum that we are seeing in Iowa around initiatives for water quality.
Other water quality programs funded by the Legislature include the Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) program, volunteer water quality initiatives, lakes restoration, water quality monitoring stations, wetland incentives, water protection programs, conservation reserve programs, closing agricultural drainage wells, and farm demonstrations that show the effectiveness of emerging practices in agronomy – practices that protect water resources and provide additional environmental benefits.
Iowa Leads Nation with Healthiest Children
After many years of work by the Legislature to help improve the health of children in Iowa, the efforts are finally paying off. According to a new report by Kids Count, Iowa is now ranked first in the nation for children’s health. To see the data on Iowa go to: http://datacenter.kidscount.org/
Iowa moved up in all of the health domain indicators from 2013 due to fewer low-birth weight babies, fewer children without health insurance, fewer child and teen deaths, and a decrease in the rate of teens abusing alcohol and drugs. This is due, in part, to Iowa’s medical and dental insurance programs for low-income children.
All of Iowa’s rankings were in the top 10, with the exception of the education domain. In education, the report focused on the following indicators: children not attending preschool, fourth graders not proficient in reading, eighth graders not proficient in math, and high school students not graduating on time. Iowa continues to improve in all of these categories.
The ratings come from the Kids Count project by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, a non-partisan philanthropy. The Kids Count project uses an index of 16 indicators. The 2014 report ranks states on overall child well-being and in four additional domains: economic well-being, education, health, and family and community. Combining all the indicators, Iowa ranks third nationally, which is an improvement from seventh in 2013.
Other Iowa News this Week
- After propane prices spiked last winter, leaving many families struggling to keep their home warm, state officials encourage Iowans, who rely on propane to heat their home, to lock in prices this summer.
- Solar energy supporters got a boost from the Iowa Supreme Court last week after it ruled that a solar company in Dubuque can sell energy to the City of Dubuque.
- Disaster assistance is still available for residents in 40 counties, including Linn County, through Iowa’s Individual Assistance Program to help citizens in affected areas; more information can be found athttp://dhs.iowa.gov/disaster-assistance-programs/.
- The Iowa Supreme Court ruled last week that mandatory sentences for juveniles are unconstitutional.
- After heavy lobbying from private utility companies, Gov. Branstad gave up a $1 million grant to help make Iowa a world leader in solar energy 🙁
Michele Meadors, Ms Wheelchair Iowa 2014, attended the community celebration of the anniversary of the American with Disabilities Act at Veterans Memorial Stadium.. She said I’d be seeing her often this next legislative session as she advocates for those with disabilities. Looking forward to that, Michele!
The event featured a pre-game picnic with several hundred guests, a Unity March along the concourse, proclamations read by local leaders, a Kernels baseball game and spectacular fireworks.
The positive impact of ADA cannot be understated. It has expanded opportunities for Americans with disabilities by reducing barriers, changing perceptions and increasing participation in community life.
Kudos to the partners, planners, participants and sponsors of this fun and meaningful event!
Cedar Rapids Water Division employees received a copy of the Water Worker Week Proclamation from the State of Iowa, awarded by City Manager, Jeff Pomerantz and myself. It was an honor to participate in the celebration at the CR Water Dept on J Ave NE. The original section of the building, which has been extremely well-maintained, was built in 1929. The blue steel pumps pictured, were discontinued and upgraded with new pumps in 2010. The plant has also been fitted with three water purification systems with ultra-violet lights. This location produces more than 25 million gallons of drinking water daily. I was pleased to note that pumps and water flow are monitored 24 hours a day in order to ensure maximum efficiency and conservation of energy and pump life.
The staff here meets over 500 water quality standards to ensure that our drinking water is pure and safe. Congratulations and a heartfelt thank-you to this very professional and talented group of city employees!
Gail Naughton, President of the National Czech & Slovak Museum, opened the Dept. of Cultural Affairs Community Conversation at the museum. Susan and I joined the discussion in a statewide series of local gatherings in order to help the Dept. of Cultural Affairs shape the future of arts, history and culture in Iowa. The Dept. is undertaking a revitalization plan for the State Historical Building and the statewide outreach programs. The IDCA includes the State Historical Society of Iowa, the Iowa Arts Council, and the film, TV and digital media office of Produce Iowa. Really appreciated this opportunity to help design a comprehensive, statewide, long-range plan, alongside a diverse group of arts-minded Iowans.
Linn County Farm Bureau hosted a Linn Co. Soil & Water Conservation Tour, which included the USDA Service Center, Conservation Reserve Programs, an edge-of-field water break and wetland, a confined livestock operation, a tree-lined soil erosion buffer and much more. Along with these site visits were presentations on watershed management, reducing nutrient loss, cover crops, fertilization practices of numerous types, and mitigation of nitrogen and phosphorous losses. I learned about some of the well-established practices as well as a few new ideas – practices that can be expanded and supported to help protect Iowa’s soil and water. I look forward to helping support more water quality and conservation efforts this next legislative session. There is an immediate need to accelerate the progress we are beginning to see in the conservation practices in Linn County.
The Power of Music: A Fundraiser for Save the Children
This event was organized by Linn-Mar High School Junior, Sruthi Palaniappan. This incredible young woman approached me last year about legislation involving Social Studies and Writing Assessments. This year she has used her leadership ability, her organizing skills and musical talents to raise awareness and more than $2000 with the help of her peers from Linn-Mar, Washington, Kennedy and Jefferson High Schools. This was an impressive group of mega-talented students who used their abilities for a worthy cause. Save the Children gives kids in the US and around the world (120 countries) what every child deserves – a healthy start, the opportunity to learn, and protection from harm. They literally save children’s lives. To contribute:http://.savethechildren.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1109771&supid=409135257
It was truly an honor to participate in this successful endeavor.
Lori Elam, CPC Administrator with the Community Services Dept. of Davenport, is explaining services and resources available to the homeless in Scott County. I participated in a Homeless Roundtable Discussion at The Center, hosted by Gary Suisch, Community Organizer at National Coalition for the Homeless in Davenport. We heard from several who had experienced homelessness first hand and offered their perspectives on barriers to affordable housing. Topics covered included: criminalization with the homeless, crisis intervention, hospital hot lines, shelters, relief programs, housing vouchers, health care and medication, lack of transportation, DHS and family investment programs, job training, education and skill development. An exhaustive discussion about the complex issues surrounding homelessness. Last year, the Des Moines Register reported an estimated 16,340 homeless men, women and children in Iowa in 2012.
Attended a fundraiser for GiGi’s Playhouse Cedar Rapids, soon to be located at 4300 Czech Lane NE. GiGi’s is one of an established series of Down Syndrome Achievement Centers, serving children and adults of all ages. The Grand Opening is scheduled for September 6th. Opening a location in Cedar Rapids has been a two-year process, spearheaded by Board Vice President, Amy Flege. GiGi’s Playhouse will offer programs (including karate, art and music therapy) aimed to maximize self-confidence and empower individuals to achieve their greatest potential. I’m excited to welcome GiGi’s Playhouse to Cedar Rapids – and to House District 66!
At the groundbreaking ceremony for the new CRST International World Headquarters, which will be built in downtown Cedar Rapids. This 11-story building will house the $37 million dollar CR home-grown company, along with Bankers Trust. Good to see more economic activity in our city. We haven’t had a local funded building project this large in the downtown area since 1990. Thanks to CRST for its commitment to the community!
Headed out for the evening’s door knocking and the opportunity to listen to voters… but can’t pass up a neighborhood lemonade, garden vegetable stand. These young entrepreneurs were excited by the sale, and the nice tip we left them.
Support your local businesses!
Continue Reading the Statehouse News
To read the rest of my Statehouse News go to: http://iowahouse.org/StatehouseNews/7-30-14
